Effects of Competition Rule Changes on the Incidence of Head Kicks and Possible Concussions in Taekwondo

Objective: Competition rules related to head kicks (HKs) in sparing-taekwondo (S-TKD) were changed in 2009, resulting in more points awarded to the head attacker. The objective of this research is to measure the incidence of HKs and to analyze the characteristics of situations leading up to and after HKs in a postrule change competition. Design: Descriptive epidemiology study using video analysis. Setting: The final matches of the World Taekwondo Championships (WTCs) in 2011 and 2013. Participants: A total of 1760 athletes participated in both WTCs. Sixty-four athletes, who had won elimination-round matches and were 15 years or older, competed in final matches. Main Outcome Measures: The final matches—a total of 64 matches including 95 rounds—were analyzed using an anatomical and outcome coding scheme for HKs. Results: Overall, a total of 30 athletes experienced receiving one or more HKs during 2 WTCs (469 HKs per 1000 athlete-exposures (A-E), 95% confidence interval = 296, 642). Female athletes showed higher incidences of HKs than male. A trend of increasing incidence of HKs was observed in the females. The HKs occurred more frequently among competitors in lightweight categories and those of similar height (49%). Conclusions: Overall, the frequency of HKs seems to have increased compared with matches before 2009. A sharp increase in the numbers of HKs is evident among the elite female athletes. To prevent receiving an HK, updated game strategies such as training for blocking skills, and safety guidelines for HKs, or revisions to rules are needed. Clinical Relevance: The recent changes to competition rules promoting the use of HKs may have resulted in an increasing frequency of HKs compared with research findings before these changes. Multiple HKs occur frequently in S-TKD; care needs to be taken to avoid possible acute/chronic consequences.

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